THE GREAT AMERICAN EMANCIPATION DAY AWARDS 2023 HONOREES

Dionne Warwick is currently celebrating her seventh decade in entertainment. From the works produced/written by Burt Bacharach/Hal David to the recently aired CNN documentary, “Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over”, Ms. Warwick is a trailblazer in music, the performing arts, Civil Rights and her humanitarian efforts. She scored two number one pop hits - one with the Spinners, "Then Came You" (1974), then with her Friends (Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight) with "That's What Friends Are For" (1985) – with sales from the latter benefiting amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research. A five-time Grammy-winner, Warwick earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy in 2019, and continued recording into the 2020s.

Robert “Kool” Bell Is the co-founder, leader and master bassist for the legendary Pop/R&B group Kool & the Gang, the seven-time Grammy award-winners who also earned many American Music Awards. Bell and his family moved to Jersey City NJ in the early 1960’s, where he and his late brother Ronald (Khalis Bayyan) formed Kool & the Gang. A multi-platinum-selling group and the most sampled band of all time, Kool & the Gang has sold over 80 million albums worldwide and influenced the music of generations with 25 Top Ten R&B hits, 9 Top Ten Pop hits, and 31 gold and platinum albums. Kool’s business ventures include the successful Le Kool champagne and with his departed wife, Sakinah, co-founded the non-profit music education initiative, the Kool Kids Foundation.

Fourth-generation leader of faith and social justice; CEO of FPWA, an antipoverty, policy and advocacy organization; radio host; public speaker; author of Consider It Pure Joy; and editor of God in the Ghetto: A Prophetic Word Revisited. Visiting Scholar at the New York University Silver School of Social Work and Scholar in Residence at Alliance University Center for Racial Reconciliation (CRR). Chair of the NYC Racial Justice Commission, which developed and passed three unprecedented amendments to the city’s constitution to: 1) dismantle structural racism 2) embed racial justice and equity in all government functions 3) end solitary confinement in New York City jails. Vice-chair of the NAN Board; founding member of the NYS 400 Years of African-American History Commission; Fordham University Feerick Center for Social Justice Advisory Board member; and member of the Center for Law, Brain and Behavior Advisory Board at Harvard University.; Co-chaired Bill de Blasio Mayoral Transition, and lead advisor Full Day UPK expansion, and 20202021 NYPD Reform and Reinvention Collaborative.

A capacity builder, a ministers’ minister, a nonprofit prophet, and a gifted creative strategist, Rev. Dr. Valerie Oliver Durrah fosters unique partnerships. The philanthropic advisor, nonprofit coach and manager, corporate, and faith-based consultant’s work involves diverse ethnic populations and the underserved. Founder and President of Neighborhood Technical Assistance Clinic (NTAC), Dr. Durrah consults with philanthropists, foundations, organizations, institutions, seminaries, agencies, and healthcare entities seeking help to improve their programs addressing the needs of low income and service-starved neighborhoods. Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Bethany Baptist Church, and Church Women United, Dr. Durrah is an ordained global minister and the first African American trustee of the Brooklyn Historical Society. Dr Durrah published Lead Me, Guide Me: Capacity Building Resource Guide, for clergy women. An advisor to NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Durrah works to establish NYC’s Office of Faith and Community Partnerships and aid pandemic recovery in New York City.

A. Curtis Farrow left his illustrious career on Wall Street to pursue a lifelong dream of owning an entertainment company in 1986. That dream became a reality and today Irving Street Rep, a full service agency, provides marketing, public relations, and event planning for major corporations. McDonald’s Gospelfest and Farrow teamed up and the small community event originally hosted in 1983 by the McDonald’s Tri-State Owner/ Operator Association grew to international acclaim and recognition. Forty years, 3 Emmy awards and 14 nominations later, McDonald’s Gospelfest, produced and directed by A. Curtis Farrow, fills arenas and attracts participants from all over the world. As facilitator of McDonald’s African American Future Achievers Scholarship, Farrow oversees the distribution of four-year scholarships to deserving high school graduates. Multiple year grants to the students has resulted in a 99.1% college graduation rate for all the awardees.

In 2024 the General Baptist Convention of New Jersey, Inc. will celebrate 120 years of service. As we approach that historic milestone, I am grateful on this occasion to have six of the immediate past presidents and the membership at-large share recognition by The Positive Community. Rev. Dr. Calvin McKinney [President Emeritus], Rev. Dr. William McKinley Freeman, Rev. Dr. Perry Simmons, Jr., Rev. Dr. Guy Campbell, Jr. Rev. Dr. Lester W. Taylor, Jr. and Rev. Dr. George A. Blackwell III. We are a fellowship of Baptist Churches throughout the state of New Jersey. We have a great history and a great future. We are building on the foundation of our past that which is relevant for today. As we move further into this second century of service, let’s remember from whence we have come, and to prepare to go where the Lord would have us to go, and where the world needs us to be. Our prayer is that we remain faithful in doing more to further the cause of Jesus Christ, in our personal lives, in the life of our churches, and in communities that we are called to serve.

Three presidents have served the UNITED with spiritual maturity and distinction since it’s founding in April 2013: Rev. Dr. Kenneth D.R. Clayton, Rev. Dr. Robert L. Curry, and Rev. Dr. Marilyn M. Harris. On Saturday December 10, 2022, Rev. Andre’ W. Milteer was installed as the convention’s fourth president.

United Missionary Baptist Convention’s journey together has been dynamic, nurturing, uplifting, and inspiring. As a gifted potter fashions shapeless clay into works of art, God has sculpted UNITED into more than one could have imagined. As a corporate body of believers, United Missionary Baptist Convention of New Jersey, Inc. continues to seek and expect the manifestation of God’s presence and power in all that we do UNITED for His glory and honor.

Jacob Walthour relocated billion-dollar Blueprint Capital to Newark from tony midtown Manhattan in 2018 to be closer to and address racial and economic equality in New Jersey. He coined the phrase “Two New Jerseys” to shine a spotlight on the stark wealth and income disparities that rival statistics in the deep south. He has quietly trained an army of local kids to work at Wall Street firms and continues to generously support a variety of local causes and organizations. A South Orange resident, Jacob has over 30 years of experience in financial services. Prior to founding Blueprint, he served as a vice chairman in the investment management division of Cowen & Company. Black Enterprise magazine recognized him as one of their “Most Influential Blacks on Wall Street” when he was 39 years old.

Reverend Dr. Albert L. Morgan, affectionately known as “God’s Mailman,” is a native of Brotmanville, New Jersey. Elected pastor of Union Baptist Temple in 1986, Pastor Morgan manages a Christ-centered, worshiping, purposeful, and innovative ministry. A past moderator of the Bethany Baptist Association, Pastor Morgan is also a past elected member of Bridgeton’s City Council and serves on the Board of Education. He is the chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Convention of Choir and Choruses, also known as the Thomas Dorsey Convention. Pastor Morgan serves as the president of the New England Missionary Baptist Convention, the oldest Black Baptist convention in the country. He revitalized and refocused the convention, which is prospering even through the pandemic, with innovative online and in-person sessions.